Residents of Smithfield boiling water

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Smithfield, N.C. — An order to boil water before consumption was made mandatory Wednesday in Smithfield after tests of water samples detected the presence of fecal coliform bacteria (E. coli), officials said.

Residents should boil all water used for human consumption, such as drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice and washing hands. Boiling water for at least one minute should kill the bacteria.

Because of the order, many restaurants in the town were closed Wednesday evening. The order remains in effect until further notice.

The Smithfield's Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q restaurant at 924 N. Brightleaf Blvd. was closed to diners Thursday, but employees were offering free bottles of water while supplies last. The offer is limited to two bottles per person.

The town expects to have an update on the water quality no later than 5 p.m. Thursday.

LuvLivingInCaryJul 1, 2010

tksmith...maybe that's what makes that coca cola that so good...good ole' city water...lol

tksmthJul 1, 2010

ATTENTION all for you people that think city water is better than well water, lets see city water comes from "WASTE TREATMENT" facilities that treat human waste water for drinking water ( hmm gotta wounder there) well water is naturally filtered and i know this because i worked for a city before treating water and my teeth are not rotten from well water you ignorant but

DesiderataJul 1, 2010

Will the people who think this is stupid,,,go ahead ,,drink your water unboiled...then get back to us and let us know how your gut feels! How stupid are you people....VERY!

Justin T.Jul 1, 2010

"i can't even believe you think a well is better than city water. no flouride = rotten teeth"

CombatMedJul 1, 2010

It's simple.........boil the water or you might as well go and drink out of your toilet.

carousel momJul 1, 2010

So this explains why 3 members of my family had tummy issues the past couple days. We were in Smithfield for a baseball tourney all weekend and drank lots of water. I was refilling out bottles with tap water. We're better now :)

LuvLivingInCaryJul 1, 2010

2020. i can't even believe you think a well is better than city water. no flouride = rotten teeth and yes, if you have an older well where the regs were easier you can have a well to close to a septic tank and get ecoli that way. it happens.

2020CitizenJul 1, 2010

"Just another good reason to have a well for water"

Yeah, who's ever heard of a well being contaminated. Oh wait...

jon2fourJul 1, 2010

wonder who will be arrested 4 not following orders??

No one will arrest you , but you may get a visit from the Grim Reaper.